CroatiaThe Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 captured images of the asteroid Torifune during its flyby, revealing that it is not a single asteroid but a 'contact binary' formed by two smaller objects that collided and remained connected millions of years ago. The unusual shape of Torifune resembles a katana (sword), and the discovery has surprised scientists, offering new insights into the formation processes of celestial bodies in the solar system. The probe flew within approximately one kilometer of the asteroid’s surface at a speed of 17,700 kilometers per hour, capturing high-resolution images and additional data using infrared cameras and other instruments. Scientists believe such contact binaries could make up around 30% of small bodies in the solar system, though the exact mechanisms of their formation remain unclear. This mission, which originally aimed to study asteroid Ryugu, has contributed valuable data on asteroid composition and could aid future efforts to protect Earth from potential threats.
Bias read (Center): The article presents scientific findings without overt ideological framing. It focuses on factual discoveries made by the Hayabusa2 mission, describing the technical aspects of the observation and the implications for astrophysics. There is no indication of partisan bias or agenda-driven narrative,
